A blog covering all matters refereeing, the Premier League, Football League, Scottish football and occasionally European football

Martin Atkinson to referee Liverpool v Chelsea

Martin Atkinson is the man in charge for leaders Liverpool against second-placed Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday.

Whistler: Martin Atkinson will be the man in black for Liverpool against Chelsea in the Premier League showdown at Anfield

REFEREE Martin Atkinson will take charge of Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Chelsea at Anfield on Sunday.

The 43-year-old will oversee the eagerly-anticipated encounter as the Reds, five points clear at the top with four games remaining, entertain Jose Mourinho’s second-placed side.

Peter Kirkup and Stephen Child are the assistant referees while Kevin Friend, who has refereed the corresponding fixture in each of the last two seasons, will be the fourth official.

Atkinson has received a number of high-profile fixtures this season including the Capital One Cup Final between Manchester City and Sunderland at Wembley in March.

He took charge of Chelsea’s goalless draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford in August and Liverpool’s 2-0 defeat at Arsenal in October as well as the Merseyside derby at Anfield in January.

The Fifa official has brandished 123 yellows and three red cards while awarding 11 penalties in 40 games in all competitions so far this season.

Atkinson, from Bradford in West Yorkshire, has officiated two Champions League and four Europa League ties already in 2013-14.

The appointment means England’s World Cup representative Howard Webb has again been snubbed for a huge match after Mark Clattenburg was chosen to handle Liverpool’s 3-2 win over Manchester City on April 13.

The Reds could take a giant leap towards their first league title in 24 years with victory over Chelsea, with live coverage exclusive on Sky Sports kicking off at 2:05pm.

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